Mamadou Sakho’s injury is not as serious as first feared, according to Jurgen Klopp.

The Liverpool manager, speaking at a press conference ahead of Saturday’s game with Manchester City, said there had been “good news” regarding the Frenchman’s knee injury, though he stopped short of offering a timeframe for Sakho’s first-team return.

The 25-year-old suffered medial ligament damage during the defeat to Crystal Palace earlier this month, and was initially expected to be missing until at least January.

Klopp, though, said Sakho could be back earlier than that.

“Mama is good news,” he said. “It’s not that serious as we thought in the first moment.

“We don’t want to give you a time – you can ask every day – but it’s not Christmas 2016! So that’s good. Between now and 2016! It’s good news, it’s not too serious.”

WATCH: Klopp on Sturridge fitness

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

Click to playTap to play

The video will start in 8Cancel

Play now

The news comes as a boost, with Liverpool hoping to welcome back a number of first-teamers over the coming weeks.

Jordon Ibe, James Milner and Kolo Toure are all back after injuries, while Jordan Rossiter will return to training on Sunday after a hamstring problem.